Elder Johnny Aitken

Aux yeux de Jessie et Johnny, leur amitié est simple.

Jessie et Johnny sont inséparables depuis que Jessie est déménagée dans leur petite ville insulaire, au cours des vacances d’été. Mais alors qu’ils débutent ensemble leur quatrième année, l’année scolaire s’annonce mouvementée, quand des pressions de l’extérieur et des différences dans leur vie familiale viennent menacer leur amitié. Jessie mène une vie confortable et n’a jamais à s’inquiéter d’argent, tandis que Johnny vit avec son père et sa belle-mère dans la réserve en dehors de la ville. Grâce aux conseils de Corbeau et de leur professeur spirituel, Steven, les deux amis comblent les lacunes entre eux et apprennent à compter l’un sur l’autre, malgré leurs soucis familiaux et leurs différences culturelles.

Également disponible sous le titre Two Tricksters Find Friendship en anglais.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is available in English: Two Tricksters Find Friendship.

Additional Information
104 pages | 5.25" x 7.62" | Paperback 

Friendship can overcome any obstacle.

To Jessie and Johnny, their friendship is easy.

Jessie and Johnny have been inseparable ever since Jessie moved to the small island town during summer break. But as they begin fourth grade together, the new school year gets off to a rocky start when outside pressures and differences in their home lives threaten their friendship. Jessie lives comfortably and never worries about money while Johnny lives with his father and stepmother on the reserve outside of town. With guidance from Raven and spiritual teacher, Steven, the two friends bridge the gaps between them and learn to lean on each other through family troubles and cultural differences.

Reviews
"From the first paragraph, I was hooked. This is a beautiful story about friendship, family and community. The characters take us on adventures of discovering the connection to land, animals and history. Their friendship helps us understand how we care for each other on this journey of truth and reconciliation. My new favorite book!”— Monique Gray Smith, award-winning author of My Heart Fills With Happiness

“Set in the peace of a rural coastal community, this thoughtful and inspiring book creates space not just for playful adventure but reflection, curiosity and learning. Young Jessie and Johnny demonstrate the power of true friendship to bridge cultural difference, and their story shows us that wisdom comes from many kinds of teachers—the land, trickster Raven, Elders and, importantly, one another. Well-paced and charmingly illustrated, this book draws you into a beautiful world among trees and berry bushes, at the beach and the Bighouse, and it teaches that approaching each other with openness, support and respect allows for the discovery of many gifts.”— Amy Reiswig, reviewer, writer, editor

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is part of the Orca Echoes series.

Key features:

• Two friends face the fourth grade together while learning to overcome cultural prejudices. Reconciliation is exemplified by a friendship between a non-Indigenous child and an Indigenous child.
• The authors use fictional versions of their younger selves to reimagine what it would be like if they met as children today.
• Extended family are shown as key supporters for Johnny and Jessie, and positive relationships with a grandmother, aunties, and a cousin are depicted.
• Coast Salish culture is celebrated by author Johnny Aitken’s own experiences and teachings.
• An Indigenous character, who identifies as 2Spirit, acts as a role model and educator to the two friends.

Reading Levels: 
Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: R 
Lexile measure: 720L 
Guided Reading Level: R

This book is available in French: Johnny et Jessie reçoivent un message de Corbeau.

Additional Information
96 pages | 5.25" x 7.62" | Paperback